The French foreign minister hit back at Israel’s ambassador to the US, suggesting he should stay "as far away as possible from microphones" after the diplomat said he wanted France excluded from Lebanon peace talks.

Jean-Noel Barrot criticised Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli envoy to the US, saying, "apparently very diplomatic, very refined and very subtle."

He added that Leiter seems determined to reduce the number of partner countries that Lebanon might rely on for its recovery.

"We would like to keep the French as far away from practically everything as possible ... They are not necessary. They have no positive influence, especially not in Lebanon,” the ambassador added.

European Council President Antonio Costa stressed that restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "crucial and urgent," amid regional tensions.

Costa said disruptions in the key maritime corridor risk worsening the global economic fallout of the ongoing conflict.

"This war has already had disastrous consequences that are being felt all over the world. And that will only get worse, with every day without a solution to this conflict. Restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is crucial and urgent," he said.

Costa noted that European efforts are underway in coordination with international partners, including initiatives led by France and the United Kingdom, to form a coalition aimed at safeguarding maritime security in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz should not be used as a political or economic pressure tool, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said.

Albudaiwi stressed that any attempt to impose a new reality by force in the vital maritime corridor is unacceptable.

"The Strait of Hormuz must remain an open and secure international waterway free from threats or restrictions. Any attempt to impose a new reality by force or to use it as a political and economical pressure tool is unacceptable and has been condemned at both regional and international levels," he said.

He highlighted that the Strait of Hormuz is a key artery for global energy supplies and international trade, warning that disruptions could have serious consequences for markets, supply chains, and economic stability.

The UN welcomed a US-convened meeting between Lebanon and Israel as an “important first step” toward ending hostilities.

"I can tell you that we welcome yesterday’s meeting between Lebanon and Israel, convened by the United States," UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said at a news conference, adding that "the meeting constitutes an important first step to end the hostilities and towards breaking the recurrent rounds of violence that have caused considerable suffering for too long."

"Maintaining dialogue will be essential in resolving outstanding issues and achieving progress towards stability," he said.

Haq added that the UN remains "ready to support these efforts" and continues to urge "the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701."

The US Senate has blocked an effort to limit former President Donald Trump’s ability to launch future military action against Iran without congressional approval.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country's top priority was to secure the "dismantling" of Hezbollah in its first direct talks with Lebanon in decades.

"In the negotiations with Lebanon, there are two central objectives: first, the dismantling of Hezbollah; second, a sustainable peace... achieved through strength," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel and the US are fully aligned in their objective to contain Iran.

"Our American friends keep us constantly updated on their contacts with Iran. The objectives of the United States and our own are identical," he said in a televised speech.

"We want to see enriched material removed from Iran; we want to see the elimination of enrichment capability within Iran; and, of course, we want to see the (Hormuz) strait reopened," he added.

The conflict in the Middle East could push millions more towards hunger as its economic fallout reverberates further around the globe, the World Bank's chief economist warned in an AFP interview.

"You have about 300 million people who suffer from acute food insecurity already," Indermit Gill said. "That'll go up by about 20 percent very, very quickly," as knock-on effects grow.

The blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil supply route, has sent fertilizer prices soaring since they rely on oil-based inputs.

The United States is discussing holding a second round of peace talks with Iran in Pakistan and is optimistic about reaching a deal, the White House said.

"Those discussions are being had" and "we feel good about the prospects of a deal," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding that further talks "would very likely" be in Islamabad.